A Mass of Resurrection was celebrated for Sister Carolyn (Mary Rita) Mruz, OSF, on July 25 at St. Justin Martyr Church in Sunset Hills. Sister Carolyn died July 18 at age 91. She was a member of the Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help for 69 years.
Sister Carolyn was born in Omaha, Nebraska. Her professional accomplishments included a bachelor’s degree in education from Fontbonne College (now University) in St. Louis, a master’s degree from Northeast Louisiana State University and certificates in theological studies and in massage therapy. She taught in Louisiana, Missouri, Illinois and Lithuania. In the Archdiocese of St. Louis, Sister Carolyn served her religious community as minister general of the congregation, a member of the leadership team and director of formation.
Her passion to assist the poor was the catalyst for her development of a program to serve Bosnian refugees, her position as a delegate traveling to Lithuania to help religious women rebuild after Soviet occupation, her position as development director at Carberry Senior Living Center, and her work as coordinator of services at St. Agatha Center, a position Sister Carolyn held until her death.
Burial was at Resurrection Cemetery.
